Oceania Rugby, one of World Rugby’s regional associations, has appointed a new General Manager and two independent Board members to continue the growth and development of the organisation at a time when membership and playing numbers continue to flourish
Cheryl McCormack, comes to Oceania Rugby as its new General Manager having most recently managed the NSW State Government’s Community Engagement Program for Cricket World Cup 2015. She is also a Board Member of Netball Australia and Netball Australia’s delegate to the Australian Olympic Committee.
World Rugby’s Regional General Manager Asia & Oceania, William Glenwright said, “Cheryl brings an extraordinary amount of experience to this newly created position. She is an experienced commercial and sponsorship manager, has experience in delivering the type of governance reforms that Oceania Rugby is working towards and she has a detailed understanding of what’s needed to grow participation amongst girls and women.”
“The Oceania Rugby Executive looks forward to working with Cheryl as the organisation continues to drive effective relationships with key stakeholders such as the Oceania National Olympic Committees, World Rugby, the Pacific Islands Players’ Association and our Member Unions at a time when the sport’s popularity continues to increase in the region.”
Oceania Rugby has also made two new Board appointments as part of a comprehensive governance reform agenda.
“Highlighting the continued growth of Rugby in Oceania, and in-line with the organisation’s newly created strategic plan that focuses on the future growth of the game, sustainable corporate governance and commercial revenue, Oceania Rugby has also announced the appointment of a new non-elected independent director plus a women’s non-elected independent director,” said Glenwright.
Aloma Johansson has been appointed to the position of non-elected independent director. A distinguished business consultant, accountant and former Tonga Chamber of Commerce President, Aloma was also the first woman to sit on the Tongan Rugby Union Authority and was interim CEO in 2011/2012.
Cathy Wong has been appointed to the position of Non-elected Women’s director. An experienced physiotherapist, Cathy is Fiji’s Chef de Mission for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, has been the team physio for several Fiji national sports teams including the Flying Fijians and National Sevens team and has contributed to the growth of sports medicine in the region and is a current member of the ONOC Medical Commission.
Oceania Rugby is one of six Regional Associations of World Rugby. It is responsible for representing the interests of its 16 Member Unions and 1 Associate Member to promote the growth of Rugby throughout Oceania.